Third in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series is a fun tale of a Winterfest in the town of Sylvan Creek. PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS are about to ensue. The setting is between mountains, woods, and a lake. The weather looks set to snow and doggie knitwear is selling fast. Daphne Templeton runs a pet sitting business, and has a basset hound named Socrates. She and her friends are out for fun, but the news that Stylish Life TV network is filming events doesn't meet with approval.

The producer Lauren Savidge and crew have been upsetting people in town somewhat, and the local newshound is always keen to report on fractious situations. Between simmering tensions and the issue of jumping into the icy lake for charity, Daphne finds herself on edge. The cold, murky water hides a secret, and someone shrieks for help. Before you can say hot rum punch, the town police detective, Jonathan Black, an ex-SEAL, is investigating a probable murder.

To add another string to her bow, Daphne is planning to open a wholesome bakery store... sometime. She's working up to it, testing recipes. Meanwhile she traipses around town caring for pets, of all shapes and sizes. She fits in a call to reporter Gabriel Graham, who claims he was a top investigative journalist in Philly before buying the local paper. Daphne is wondering what the story is there, I was too, especially when he challenges Daphne to match wits with him on resolving the murder issue. He's just rescued a stray St. Bernard dog, but turns out he has no interest in keeping such a big dog and palms him off on guess who.

I'm puzzled as to why Daphne took a doctorate in philosophy, unused except to let her drop Greek musings into conversations. How does this help the author Bethany Blake establish her character as an amateur sleuth? The degrees must have cost her a fortune, as well as the best earning years of a young person's life, so how does she intend to make the money back? Walking dogs? Maybe the rationale was explained in the previous two books. Admittedly Daphne's mother seems to be well enough off, working as a real estate agent and dabbling in property. The style of the book is also jarring; over seventy very short chapters, which usually end on a dramatic note; words like hurtling, disaster, scream, full speed; but the next chapter just starts with something bland. I have to say I got tired of the arrangement quickly. The story does definitely take a turn to drama, so hang in there. A few recipes are at the end of PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS -- treats for the furry friends. Enjoy.